PARIS—Tommy Paul became the third American junior to win the French Open since 1968, joining Bjorn Fratangelo (2011) and John McEnroe (1977). Paul defeated fellow American Taylor Fritz in the final and believes that Americans are improving on clay. The last U.S. man to win Roland Garros was Andre Agassi in 1999.
“Everyone says that U.S. tennis is bad on clay. I would have to disagree,” said Paul, who thinks this group of young players can push each other. “Right now I think that obviously we're doing pretty well on the clay. We had two people in the finals, and Fratangelo. Obviously we are not bad on clay. We are only getting better.”
The last American to win a Grand Slam singles title on any surface was in 2003, when Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open.